Startup Launch Video: 15-Minute Founder Blueprint to Ship Today

Last updated 2025

TL;DR

Free source files — Watch YC Startup School video #77, Product Hunt guide, and real launch example on YouTube.

What it is — 60-90-second pitch that shows product, market, and CTA; built for Product Hunt, socials, and homepage.

When to use — Day-one launches, wait-list open, pre-seed raise; skip if you already have live demo or paying users.

How in 15 min — Copy [Flowjam script template], fill 3-frame storyboard, record screen + founder face-cam, caption, post.

Winning spec — 9:16 vertical, hook in first 3 s, subtitle burn-in, end card with wait-list link.

Track this — 3-second view rate > 45 %, CTR on CTA > 8 %, sign-up cost < $1.50.

A startup launch video is the fastest asset you can ship in 2025 to cut through crowded launches, hit platform expectations, and convert silent visitors into wait-list emails. Below you’ll grab the exact files, know when to choose it over a teaser or demo, and follow a repeatable 9-step checklist you can finish before lunch.

What is startup launch video?

A startup launch video is a 60-90-second vertical film that demonstrates the product, states the problem, and ends with a single call-to-action, optimized for Product Hunt, Twitter, and landing-page embeds.Definition: 60-90-second vertical pitch film showing product, problem, and CTA for day-one launch traffic.

Startup Launch Video — Download & Quick Start

Grab the assets and go:

YC Startup School resource: https://www.startupschool.org/videos/77

Product Hunt guide: https://www.producthunt.com/stories/how-to-launch-your-startup

YouTube example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qisGSwZym4Internal: [Flowjam script template] | [Flowjam storyboard checklist]

Get started in 15 minutes:

Open [Flowjam script template] → fill 4 sentences (problem, solution, demo, CTA).

Sketch 3-square storyboard on paper.

Record 9:16 screen + webcam in Loom; keep ≤ 90 s.

Auto-caption in Kapwing; burn in text.

Export 1080 × 1920, < 25 MB, add Product Hunt thumbnail 1270 × 720.

Use a startup launch video when you have no live product access to share; skip it if you can show real user dashboard or paying customers—use live demo instead.

How to Use It (Step-by-Step)

Goal — One metric: wait-list sign-ups.

Script — 4 sentences, 65 words max; hook first 8 words.

Storyboard — Problem frame, product frame, CTA frame.

Capture — 9:16, 30 fps, built-in mic OK in quiet room.

Edit — Trim pauses, add zoom on key UI moment.

Caption — Kapwing auto → correct > 98 % accuracy.

CTA — Last 5 s static end card: “Join wait-list → yoururl.com”.

Publish — Product Hunt video field, Twitter thread first tweet, landing-page hero.

Measure — 3-s view rate, CTA CTR, sign-up cost inside Product Hunt dashboard.

Founders often miss this — uploading the video only to Product Hunt and nowhere else; you lose 70 % of views that could come from Twitter and LinkedIn the same morning.

Startup Launch Video vs Alternatives

Startup launch video

Best for: pre-product day-one buzz

Pros: fast, cheap, no code, high CTR

Cons: no social proof, limited detail

When: pre-MVP, pre-seed, wait-list open

Teaser trailer

Best for: brand emotion

Pros: cinematic, shareable

Cons: higher cost, may feel vague

When: consumer brand, design-heavy product

Live demo

Best for: showing real UX

Pros: builds trust, answers objections

Cons: needs stable build, longer

When: beta users exist

Product explainer

Best for: complex features

Pros: educational, evergreen

Cons: 2-3 min watch drop-off

When: post-launch onboarding

Founder story

Best for: investor narrative

Pros: personal, memorable

Cons: light on product

When: fundraising announcement

Customer testimonial

Best for: social proof

Pros: credible, conversion lift

Cons: needs customers

When: post-revenue

Crowdfunding video

Best for: hardware/pre-orders

Pros: captures pledges

Cons: high production bar

When: Kickstarter campaign

Practical Tips & Cautions

Claim only what ships — exaggeration kills trust when Product Hunt users test the beta.

Rights check — use royalty-free music from YouTube audio library or record your own.

Captions on by default — 85 % of social video is watched mute.

Thumbnail matters — big text “We solve X” increases click-through 25 %.

Track pixels — add Product Hunt, Twitter, and Google retargeting before launch day.

Keep file < 25 MB — Product Hunt rejects larger uploads.

FAQs

How long should a startup launch video be?

60-90 seconds keeps completion rate above 45 % on mobile feeds.

Where do I post it?

Product Hunt video field, Twitter first tweet, LinkedIn post, and embed above the fold on your landing page.

Do I need a voice-over?

No; burned-in captions + face-cam narration are enough and save editing time.

What hook converts best?

State the painful problem in first 3 seconds: “Still juggling spreadsheets to track expenses?”

Which metrics matter?

3-second view rate, CTA click-through, cost per sign-up, and day-7 retention of referred users.

How much does it cost?

$0 if you record with Loom and edit in Kapwing; $200-500 if you outsource captioning and motion graphics.

Tools for zero-budget?

Loom (record), Kapwing (caption), Canva (end card), Product Hunt (distribution).

Conclusion

Ship your startup launch video today: grab the YC script, fill the 3-frame storyboard, record 90 seconds, caption, and hit publish on Product Hunt before noon. Use the template and publish your launch video today → [Flowjam script template].

Grounded in YC Startup School, Product Hunt guides, and verified sources.